lexington
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Believe it or not helloinsane it’s actually not a bad project – but you really do have to see it in real life. Yes it is a bit mad but I suppose that’s why its fun. I know this will receive many members frowns – these things usually do – but all I’ll say is wait to see the done deal in actuality.
Well the Irish Examiner have borrowed again from one of my posts, but hey! In an article by me…sorry, Eoin English (Joe King Eoin! 😉 ), regarding the appeal by Tomas O’Scannlainn of An Taisce brought against Howard Holdings’ sculpture gift to the Cork people he reported the Greg Coughlan (Howard Holdings CEO) said that perhaps the developers shouldseek a more appreciative city to develop and with which to gift such sculptures
. I had a natter with an individual – and quite frankly, Howard Holdings are ticked off, yes, and I 100% agree with them. Perhaps the comment, as reported (but I didn’t hear about personally) was made in the heat of the moment, but I really think the appeal is a low down tactic (this isn’t an attack on An Taisce before anyone screams – its on Mr. Scannlainn). If this is how the city reacts to something as simple and generous (I mean, it was something the could have saved the developers near on 500,000euros) as this sculpture, then maybe I’d agree with Mr. Coughlan.
Not a political favourite of mine, Charlie Haughey, had a great phrase:
“How can I soar like an eagle when I’m surrounded by turkeys?”
Sure, he meant it in a very different way, but it sums up my belief about Cork – how can it soar when it’s surrounded by turkeys? (e.g. CAHRA, SOME not ALL An Taisce objections, Lower Glanmire Roads Residents Association etc)
Well, Pa Johnson’s legendary public house was finally demolished today after 150 years in business – but it won’t be long before a new and improved Pa Johnson’s is back in place, at the very same location, only this time, it will form part of a larger complex being developed by OSB Group. The development wing of O’Sullivan Bros. DIY and Builders Retailling (among other things) is forwarding with Phase 2 of its Camden Court project. This phase will incorporate 50 apartments (on top of the 40 or so as part of Phase 1), a brand new and state-of-the-art Cork Arts Theatre and large, brand new Pa Johnsons public house. The project is designed by James Leahy & Associates, and is being constructed by John F. Supple Contractors.
Here’s an old press image of how the whole project will look (Phase 1 – the lower section to the left, and Phase 2, the bulkier section to the right) in about 15 months. I unfortunately do not have an adequate CG Images from the architect which I can post for the time being.
The project is actually a very striking structure along Carrolls Quay – the first Phase has already gained praise from citizens. I accept this image does the project zero justice, but hey! Copper and limestone cladding is used extensively throughout.
😉 Also, on the sale of the former Doyle-family owned Cork Warehousing Co. facility on Albert Quay – contrary to some media reports, the sale price offers pitched at 7.75m for the 20,000sq ft site. O’Flynn Construction, Howard Holdings and 2 other prominent names are in the mix. However, it would certainly make major sense for OFC to nab this one – as the site would provide an excellent waterfrontage onto Albert Quay for their Eglinton Street development to the rear and may, through an application, provide for additional parking spaces to Eglinton Street – whcih had become a planning sore-point at the moment (with CCC wanting a substantially reduced basement car-park at Eglinton Street – in context, a stupid planning request on CCC’s behalf). Albert Quay could provide the additionally spaces need to assist Eglinton Street sales pitches, while allowing CCC some satisfaction by reducing parking. Who knows?! Either way, Albert Quay will have to be within the commercial/office usage category. Another developer in the running is hoping to provide a 7 to 8 storey office building with retail centre and basement parking.@Deadonarrival wrote:
“Elegant”?..Someone enlighten me because to my eye its an austere, humourless, charmless lump of architectural masturbation…
Crude, but agreed.
🙂 I said I’d get back with some information regarding the supposed plan for a 12-storey building on the small, triangular site bordered by Dean Street, Oliver Plunkett Street and Clontarf Street – and the latest is that the site is at leats 12-months away from construction (possibly moe planning pending). An application will be sought in the near future for the unique development – and when it is, I’ll let you know all the details. As it stands, the site will be let by Cohalan Downing for car-parking spaces until that time.
If say, the application is sought sometime in the next month – that knocks 1 months off already, plus the standard 8 weeks planning (2 months), with possible Further Information, due date extensions and appeals all for consideration. The developer is considering all these factors in informing with the clearance, prepartion and primary construction dates.
@Radioactiveman wrote:
I think Emmet place is being overlooked in this discussion. There are a number of buildings I would not like to see changed on this side of the development. eg AA building. Even the front portion of the Examiner Office is an excellent example of 19th Century architecture and should be maintained, I hope we don’t see a blanket demolition job here.
The AA Building is a stone little office to the west of the Insurances House, the 2 buildings are commonly mistaken for one another. If it’s the house you’re referring to, I agree, it is out and out one of my favourite buildings not only in Emmet Place, but all of Cork. It’s a simple, delicate elegance in a crowd of mix-and-match – its also listed, and thankfully, is not part of the OCP Academy Street plans, so it’s safe. Will try and get an image up of that house if I can, but if anyone has one in the meantime, throw it up on this thread – I’d love to see it shared with the members of this forum.
Also, the Irish Examiner facades on Academy Street are indeed unique designs in their own right. I don’t particularly like them, but I recognise how they may be so appealing. I think you’ll be relatively satisfied with the Academy Street development plans outcome in this respect.
@charlie’s angel wrote:Who designed the large apartment scheme for Frinailla in Dennehy’s Cross? I hear the planners love it??????? The planners are promoting it as a prototype for Cork?
Is that a question or a statement? :confused: Where did you hear that comment anyway? I don’t know how planners have reacted to it (officially) – but pre-planning talks seem to be progressive. But then again, so were OFC’s talks on Eglinton Street.
*UPDATES*🙂 RKD McCarthy Lynch are currently working on a revision of Paul Kenny’s 50 Grand Parade site. A new application is being touted for the near future. Architects and engineers have been revising elements to the plan ahead of the application. The Kenny Group are expected to issue a statement soon. I’ll have more specific details on that later. It will be interesting 😉 (!!!)
🙂 You’ll remember way back, I outlined a proposal for the Capitol Cineplex on Grand Parade as proposed by a certain developer which saw the premises being revised for retail usage – well, I can tell you, in addition to Ward Anderson’s own talks, third-party talks have also been on-going with planners. Ward Anderson have been maintaining dialogue with a development group – the process has been such that preliminary designs have even been assessed (preliminary as in pre-planning). The design promoted by the group moves to take full advantage of the highly prominent position occupied by the Capitol. It will provide, apparently ‘a landmark’ (what building isn’t these days?! ;)) structure which will compliment the powerful angle of vision afforded by the length of Washington Street. Oh yes, and in line with my earlier posts, the project will still be predominantly retail.
🙂 Planning is being sought for a 10m euro leisure development along the Link Road in Ballincollig by Wythall Ltd. The project will consist of a full leisure centre, 10-lane bowling alley, 8 five-aside pitches, a gym, treatment rooms, creche, restaurant, cafe and associated facilities.
Also I was looking through plans of Aldi Stores Developments Ltd project proposed for the Heiton Buckley facility on Tory Top Road – I was never a big fan of Carew Kelly Architects, but it’s such a neat little development. I really like it – even the detail applied to the retail units and curves of the duplex blocks, all add to the project really well. I’m surprised at the thought put into it. CCC extended the due date on the project last year until the 20th of June 2005 ( a whopping extension by any accounts). I think the proposal will add very nicely to the area.The details of which are: demolition of the existing structures on site & the construction of a mixed use devt. scheme with a total of 2083m2 gross retail floor space, a creche 201m2, play area & 48 no duplex apts comprising: A single storey Aldi Discount Foodstore, max. height 7.25m with a gross floor area of 1560m2, net retail floor area 1075m2;2 no split level 2 storey blocks, approx 9.5m in height comprising a total of 7 no retail units, 523m2 total floor area & a creche, 201m2 total floor area with a roof play area; The development also includes the provision of 148 no carpark spaces for the commercial element, a gable sign on the Aldi Store, a double sided pole mounted sign at the entrance to the car pk & the replacement of the existing entrance onto Tory Top Rd with a new vehicular entrance; 48 no 2 bedroom duplex units arranged in 6 no 4 storey blocks, with a height of 11.03m & 61 no. res. carpk spaces;all associated landscaping & site dev. works .
Today I received a copy of some CG Images of the 100,000sq ft, 8-storey office development on Centre Park Road by McCarthy Developments Ltd. The project is designed by Oisin Creagh of Murray O’Laoire and adjoins Centre Park House (6-storeys) already in ownership of the developers (their current HQ). The design is inoffensive and is perhaps nothing unique in structure, but it would add positivelly to the area for sure. The project blends a nice mix of materials from Portuguese Limestone Cladding to Zinc elements etc.I believe that’s why acquiring Taboo and the TJS Building were so important for OCP I suppose. Consider the configuration of the site.
It seems a far more practical option to not include Ryans Pharmacy and TJS, and simply utilise the Examiner premises straight across, but a Patrick’s Street frontage is important as this is where the highest volume of passing trade will be attained. Given the structural layout of the block, rather than cut through Le Cheateau, go around it (as noted in the image below – this by the way, is only my own possible layout option). That way, you have a street frontage and adequate avaialble space to link up with the main body of the development. So it is do-able, but like I said, I haven’t seen the final plans yet and can’t comment. When I do, I will let you know.
@tomthevet2003 wrote:
Any news on OCP plans for acedemy st. I belive that the owners of the chateaux have not even been approached by OCP
Although the development should not effect the front and thoose famous steps the back of that pub runs behind both the pharmacy and sasha shop next door. Can’t see how development could go without OCP accuring at least the back part of that property.
:confused:You’re right, a few posts back I have an outline posted of, apparent, properties around the block controlled by OCP. Le Cheateau is not included. There is no way OCP would be given grant to demolish those historic waterway steps – and quite right too – they are an irreplaceable and integral part of the city’s history. The concern will really centre on the effects of the development to the facade and steps of the building on the south-west corner of the block – with steps on both Academy Street and Patrick’s Street. I am told that this is being very carefully and sensitively noted in the design (internal, external, structural) of the project – and the effects of construction. Regarding Ryan’s Pharmacy – OCP does control this building – drawing options attained by me showed one option retaining the building’s facade with a small step-back and vertical extension to its rear. With planning being sought this Summer – I can’t see the final plans altering the Patrick’s Street facade all that much. I think the most noticeable change will be to the Taboo Bar and present The Jean Scene store across Faulkner’s Lane, fronting Patrick’s Street.
@what? wrote:
Lexington, do you think we should applaud mediocrity?
I think what you and many others may look for in architecture isn’t what I and others may look for in it. But the value someone places on opinion can’t be discounted by others merely because they classify it as mediocre. It would be a contradiction to do so, as determination of preferences is formed by opinion as well. If you believe something to be mediocre, I can’t argue with that, but it doesn’t mean you’re right. Likewise, I would ask you to provide the same mutual respect.
Many of the architects I know see ingenuity and beauty in structures I quite frankly think are an eyesore – but they look at it from a professional, technical perspective. What they see may be indeed innovative from that point of view – but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. Sure I appreciate technical innovation, but what I seek from architecture is rooted in a client/investor perspective blended with personal tastes. Quite often, economics may have a greater dictation over the outcome of a project than preference and as such, a compromise must be found. A good architect seeks a way to maximise the aesthetics of a project given a limited or designated budget – quite often, it is such limits that inspire architects and engineers to innovate. I have always believed architecture should be about enhancing the aesthetics of a project and its associated home – but for me, architecture has to do those things, given a budget. With a blank cheque, I’m sure many of Ireland’s existing structures may have been vastly different.
A good example of perspective is the Victoria Mills development in Cork designed by Derek Tynan & Associates (see his website http://www.dtarch.com). I, personally believe that it is among Ireland’s most horribly designed projects for many many years – however, when I talk to many architects, the rave on about it. So, in answer to your question, mediocre is sometimes a matter of perspective. However, there are many common projects that are clearly lazy and uninspired from an architectural professional view-point and a client/public view-point ~ such commonality should indeed seek to restrict such design implementation. It is true, some architects are just plain lazy – and its more a matter of the quick buck rather than a dedication to the principals and progression of the profession. Out there, in the domain, many architectural practices are trying their damn best to innovate, inspire and create – to add and help revolutionise ideas about architecture. I don’t think there’s a choice really in whom we should be applauding when we weigh these camps up against one another.
@Diaspora wrote:
Lexington I have now traced your image the correct title of which is ‘Third Party only Appeals as a % of Appeals Formally Decided’ at no stage whatsoever is reference made to An Taisce. The image is found at http://www.pleanala.ie/third.doc
Hey, indeed you’re right – and I will rectify that as soon as I can. All my image files are divided among folders with some particular vague headings e.g. abata.jpg (=An Bord Pleanala An Taisce Appeals = abata.jpg) Clearly this is incorrect, and when I locate the correct graph I will post it. My first guess was that the Third Party Appeals graph was then instead the An Taisce graph, however this isn’t the case it would seem. So give me a few days and I’ll get back to you on it. The graph I have was requested by me from the Bord specifically, it took a few weeks to come back – my assumption was that such statistics would be included in the report (hence why I say in my post, I assume its in the report and on website), clearly that’s not so. It’s much more general. However I do know, that the 90% figure is inaccurate from the report I received from ABP. In fact, as it is now 2005, I should only guess that they will have 2004 figures to hand, I’ll issue a fresh request when I can and post the results when I receive them. Fair enough?
Hey when I make a mistake I’ll accept it, but when I’m right, I’ll do my best to prove it. I’m sure you’d do no less.
And of course I noted your post regarding 72% Appeal Rate for Cork, read beneath it. I don’t have any specific figures on Cork, but like I said, could well be true. It’s ridiculous in Cork. I must get onto ABP too to see if I can get some new figures on that as well…when in Rome…
@Diaspora wrote:
Finally I feel that it is important for you to acknowledge the article immediately preceding this post regarding the 19 sites closed by the HSA. And you might as well have a comment on the Good Shepard’s convent while your at it.
Why?
I almost always reply to posts directed at me. There are more on this forum than I. I’m just a cog in this wheel like yourself. 😉
So D2 or D9???
@what? wrote:
It is my opinion that O’Donnell Tuomey are the best practice currently working in Ireland. They bring a gravitas and poetry to their better projects which goes beyond simply regurgitating modernism.
I agree O’Donnell Tuomey are an insightful firm, but they wouldn’t be my choice for best practice – but that’s okay because that’s your opinion. And I’m not going to spear it. But that’s kind of what I for one would like to see on this thread – opinions! We can all judge later. Thanks for that. 😮
Architecture in this country however, like it or loathe it, is predominantly commercial/owner driven – every so often a gem makes its face known, but I don’t accept that these buildings represent the extent of Irish talents either. Far from it.
@what? wrote:
Lexington,i am aware that “everyone is entitled to their own opinion” but im worried that people may come on this site who know little about architecture, and see what is posted above as being Ireland’s Best Architecture. It is quite clear that the examples above are no more (or less) than painfully mediocre and unadventurous modern architecture, driven by a budget matched in size only by the inovation use to execute the scheme. This is not the best architecture ireland can produce by any stretch of the imagination.
I don’t believe people are in the mostly stupid – at the beginning of this thread, I did state that this is not necessarily about Ireland’s best practice, but about the practices’s that members feel are worth noting. Clearly what speaks to one, doesn’t speak to the other. I am merely posting practices which I like, and I believe I am entitled to do so. Part of this forum is to leave such topics open to debate – and that’s what I would like to see. Why don’t you post the links, or images, you feel best represent prime Irish architecture? Rather than knocking the opinions of others, post your preferences, I am most anxious to see them as I believe it will open up the scope of such debate further – and that’s a good and healthy thing.
I must ask Paul Clerkin if he would be willing to open up a Poll on a particularly date regarding this – if perhaps each interested member is allowed post up to 5 of their favourite examples of contemporary Irish Architecture (and the firms behind them) – and say, in a month, a poll is opened for a week to allow persons vote on the practice they best feel is Ireland’s current Best Architectural Practice for 2005. Is it possible Paul?
So what? contribute, what would you believe best represents the flame for Ireland’s highest architectural standards in the modern day? 😮
@Radioactiveman wrote:
🙂 Good news on Albert House.
Wagamama looks great on South Main Street.The portions are something unnatural. Nice venue – and good to see Cork benefiting from an ever expanding variety of such facilities. Captain America’s is due to open upstairs in April.
– Albert House WebWorks is good news for all really – for CCC, for Cork, Cork business, jobs, Enterprise Ireland, Howard Holdings. It’s one of those win-win things.
:rolleyes: After a deferred vote was taken last night by CCC, Howard Holdings have been given the go-ahead to develop the 15m euro WebWorks at Albert Quay. The development will comprise of in excess of 45,000sq ft of IT/Business office space which will be then leased to Enterprise Ireland, who will in turn provide the space to fledgling IT and Financial Businesses – with a special preference for locally based industries. The development will also include an underground car-park of 65 spaces. The vote was deferred last week after councillors objected to Howard Holdings being issued a 700 year lease on Albert House which CCC acquired in the early 1990s. The revised deal will see Howard Holdings take possession of the 2,600sq m to the rear of Albert House for 2.25m euros with an annual rent thereafter of 10 euros. Albert House will remain in CCC hands unequivocally, although now, a question mark is being raised over how the mansion will be incorporated into the new facility in the long-term, but it is unlikely much will change – Howard Holdings will lease the ground floor of Albert House for 2 years to develop a restaurant facility on the premises, with it reverting back to CCC ownership term-end. This month (April) is cited as the start date for the project. 300 jobs will be created once the WebWorks is up and running. John Paul Construction will be main contractors.
😮 Fleming Construction have announced today that they plan a joint 100m euro social-affordable housing scheme with CCC on their lands surrounding the former Our Lady’s Hospital, off Shanakiel Hill. Fleming Construction had original sought to develop a 6-storey student development on the site but were refused on both by both CCC and ABP. The new plans will see 405 houses constructed on the site with 80% of the houses falling into the social-affordable category (a mix of 2 and 3-bedroom detached, semi-deatched & townhouses). I knew plans had been afoot here – but did not know that these were the final plans made. Hmmm.There are – but that could all change soon. The city is inappropriately under-supplied with decent sized available multi-purpose venues.
One of my favourite up-and-coming architectural practices are Deady Gahan Architects (DGA) based in Little Island in Cork. Set-up by 2 former RKD McCarthy Lynch architects, David Deady and Eamonn Gahan, the fledgling firm have already made a name for themselves with their own distinctive style.
See images below. May include some of these on the thread Cork Architecture: Interesting Lesser Knowns .
Redeveloped Credit Union – Passage West, Cork – note cladding
St. Paul’s Garda Credit Union – extension and refurbishment of existing 18th Century House.
New Medical Centre in planning for the Lee Road (former Bowen Construction HQ)Yeah that sounds like Cork alright!!! I’ll take your word for it – must take a good read through that thing again sometime. It’s the perfect cure for my insomnia. 😉
@phil wrote:
Pieces such as this are good in that they get people thinking about the public realm, whether they like the sculpture or not.
Agreed. Hey, in Brussels they have a young boy pee-ing in the middle of a street!!! All we have to contend with is a Quill!!! 😀
Moooooooooooooooving along……I hope to bring some good news this week, (fingers crossed!), if not, next week (depending on how the developers work it out).
@phil wrote:
Can you elaborate on this a bit more? To what extent was it to be a gift? What was the Nautical Notion? I apolagise if this is further back in this thread, but I dont recall it and there is so much on this thread that it would be difficult to find.
Thanks
Phil
Yeah Phil, while providing the finishing touches to their 100m euro City Quarter development on Lapps Quay (which = 190 bedroom Clarion Hotel, 80,000sq ft + offices, 17,000sq ft retail, leisure centre, 265-space underground car-park, reconstructed quayside and promenade, boardwalk, docking pontoon, cafes etc etc), Howard Holdings decided to contribute a specially commissioned sculpture, 12.9m high, of a quill which was to be located outside the Clarion’s front entrance. The sculpture, 500,000euros worth (and not in the original plans), allowed the developers utilise a Cork City Development Plan 2004 policy which promotes contributions to public art. Greg Coughlan, CEO of Howard Holdings is originally from Cork, and since he moved back to Cork from the UK (to concentrate on Howard Holdings’ new focus on Cork city developments), he decided to add the sculpture – presenting it as a gift to the people of Cork, and hoping it would spur similar efforts from other developers in the city (Mr. Coughlan apparently has a penchant for art). The sculpture was highly welcomed by CCC and got the all clear after planning. Mr. O’Scannlain of An Taisce, and who is based in Bishopstown, sent a single-page submission to CCC, in which he documented his preference for a water feature on the quayside. CCC noted the submission, but also noted that the sculpture was not only ‘highly tasteful’, but had been already commissioned and said it was not in a position ‘to dictate the nature of contributions to public art, as such features are presented in good faith to people of Cork city. They should be valued additionally for generosity. The existing application would contribute positively to public amenity and reflects Cork’s history as originally a marsh settlement’. CCC did note however, they would not grant such contributions if they were grossly out of place and disproportionate to a proposed location, or if they contributed negatively to the public realm. On grant of the sculpture, Mr. Scannlain threatened the developers with appeal, unless the reconsidered their proposal. Howard Holdings vowed to continue with their plans, and subsequently, Mr. Scannlain used organisation money to lodge the 630euro appeal. Now, I am aware that CCC had run the sculpture by An Taisce for its comments – these were supposedly to be included in the submission, so it would be a documented public file, however, such a move was made on a consultation basis. Following this, CCC still concluded that the sculpture was acceptable. The appeal was externally warranted.
Diaspora – I know you and me haven’t agreed on many issues related to An Taisce, but I have very often found much favour with many of your comments beyond that. I do not wish for this to be a nit-picking issue – but I would simply ask you to consider whether or not you a familiar with the details of this particular incident, and furthermore, the 90% rate of An Taisce appeals upheld by ABP is not accurate according to the Bord themselves. The thumbnail below is a chart from ABP – I think also included in their Annual Report (Statistics) available on Paper-back Copy from the Bord (website may also have details???), regarding the number of appeals upheld as a % of the total lodged. The thumbnail in this case represents the % of appeals by An Taisce which were up-held for the year ended 2003. I don’t have figures anymore up-to-date, so unless they have jump 43% in the last year, I don’t know (?)
Anyway, it’s not a dig, just a clarity issue. I have actually found myself in agreeance with Mr. Hurley down here on a number of projects (i.e. Howard Holdings’ Lavitts Quay development and the Arbutus Lodge development – which was subsequently granted permission following a joint An Taisce and Residents appeal) – something I never thought would happen. But it still doesn’t take away from the fact that their Cork track record is not a positive one. That said, may be this year, they’ll turn a corner. I hope so for the sake of Cork’s progress and the reputation of the organisation itself this end of the country. There’s no knocking in this post, so PEACE people! 🙂
*UPDATES*
🙁 I’ve never been a strong supporter of this project – Grangefield Developments (Mr. Keohane et al) has been approved by ABP following appeal to partially demolish the Arbutus Lodge and construct apartment blocks, now reduced to 4-storeys, encompassing 30 apartments. This is a great shame as it represents a further loss for Cork’s fading grand residencies to apartments. The location is entirely unsuitable from an aesthetic, amenity and traffic management perspective and is a further blow to Cork’s already inadequate, tithering green-space.
😮 Ann Clifford, proprietor of Clifford Stores next to UCC, has after many attempts, managed to attain planning on the redevelopment of her store, home and neighbouring houses. A small but noteworthy development given its important crossroads location along College Road. The development will see the demolition of existing structures, construction of 4 new 2 storey houses, extension to existing shop and provision of 4 apartments (for student use) over 3 floors.
😮 Cleary Doyle have set the first section of the tower crane in place ahead of Sunday week for the 32m euro Cork City Hall extension. The 90,000sq ft +, 4-storey administrations building was designed by ABK Architects (selected after competition) and will be connected to the main City Hall building via a series of links. The building is designed to be ‘eco-friendly’.
😮 Lyonshall Ltd, the part-development company headed by Kieran Coughlan & Claire Riordan, have struck a deal with Pierse Contracting and Firestone Developments (the John McCarthy, Vincent Regan and John Keating enterprise) to part develop their 200m euro project earmarked for the lands of the former Ursuline Convent and adjoining girls secondary-school. Lyonshall received planning for approx. 500 residential units, commercial and educational units about a year ago (you may remember the post long ago) on lands they purchased for 13m euros. The company decided to develop the complex themselves, but I think may have been a little overwhelmed at the scale they proposed themselves when it came to tender. Pierse and Firestone will come on-board to co-operatively develop approx. 200 of the residential units proposed. Lyonshall will then negotiate the remaining elements subject to progress. Kick-off on the development is now set for May. Project design is by O’Mahony Pike.– NOTE: Just on that point, and something which may be of interest to some of you, O’Mahony Pike are seeking Architects and Technicians for their new Cork office. OMP have decided to open a Cork office given the considerable business lined up for the firm over the coming months/years. I can tell you, whoever gets the job will be kept busy, between the huge Lyonshall project in Blackrock, and one other substantial Docklands project which may be seeking a revisal over the coming months.
😉 An recent report in the Irish Examiner commented on the prominent interest being shown in the Parnell Place area of the city – especially regarding large commercial developments. Well, in addition to the info provided in that article, it may be worth noting that a quiet deal is being closed (so the story goes) regarding the purchase and redevelopment of the D.F. Doyle & Co. showroom and workshop site to the rear of No.5 Lapps Quay and to the rear and west of No.6 Lapps Quay, the 2 large office developments being completed by O’Flynn Construction. Whether or not OFC are the deal-makers, I can’t as yet say, however it would make perfect sense given that their current Lapps Quay developments envelope the site and it would provide a natural and sensical area for extension, especially to No.5. We’ll just have to wait and see.– also, across the road, Deloitte’s offices (if you read back a few posts, you’ll remember I commented on the possibility of their sale of the building – which had been subject to vertical extension assessments before deciding on possibly moving to No.6 Lapps Quay) – which may see the listed building up for sale in the near future, could well be sold with planning for the aforementioned vertical extension (designed by Coughlan de Keyser) and may well include the Parnell Electrical premises to its rear. This is still up in the air to say the least, especially considering planning has yet to be sought (if that is the decided path taken).
😉 Also regarding the tiny triangular site bounded by Clontarf, Deane and Oliver Plunkett Streets – the subject of a soon to be sought 12-storey office development, I am expecting some more details on this project in the coming days. Cohalan Downing Associates are currently handling term car-parking space lettings on the site – however, these lettings are subject to time restrictions given the advent of the development. CDA are also expected to handle any sale of lettings of the proposed 22,000sq ft development. It almost seems surreal for such a building to be constructed on such a tiny site (just a little over 2,000sq ft) – but we’ll see how it plans out.
@dowlingm wrote:good to see the reopening of Cork-Midleton rail is generating growth along the line!
I think this development has predominantly earmarked the dual-carriageway as its traffic source – however, you are right that when (‘IF’ knowing CIE) the Midelton line is up and running, it will certainly be an attractive sales pitch.
